Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Nov. 4

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Rod Davies called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 East Broadway at 6:00 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

II. ROLL CALL

City Clerk Susan S. Trevor called the roll and those answering Present were: Aldermen Jay Grant, Brad Bone, Alderwoman Susan Twomey (remote), Aldermen Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo and John VanVleet Absent: Alderman Ferry Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher, City Clerk Susan S. Trevor, City Attorney Marcum Spears, Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark, Brayden Bledsoe, Woodard and Curran Public Works Director, Communications Director Ken Helms, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of October 21, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the October 21, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey (remote), Aldermen Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet NAY: none PASS: Alderman Daw ABSENT: Aldermen Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries (All inquiries are limited to 3 minutes per City Ordinance)

1. Howard Moffett, 910 E. Euclid, requested that Ordinance 12-024, stated there was to be “no parking from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.” be changed as there are now signs stating “no parking at all”. He would like the signs to conform to the ordinance. Mayor Davies said that the City would look into the matter.

2. Recognition of Lt. Joe Bratcher’s Beyond the Badge Award

Chief Switzer explained that this award is given by WQAD to an officer who focuses on how to make a difference in their community both on and off duty. Lt. Bratcher was nominated by a local citizen for all the that he does for this community both on and off duty. Lt. Bratcher has been with the Monmouth Police Department for 26 years. Lt. Bratcher thanked his family and Chief Switzer for all their support as well as the City for giving him a job in which he could make a difference.

3. Veteran’s Day Proclamation

Mayor Davies read and presented to Chief Switzer a proclamation declaring November 11, 2024 as Veterans Day honoring all those who have fought, died and served our country as well as their families.

4. AAUW Proclamation

Mayor Davies read a proclamation declaring November 4-9, 2024 as AAUW Monmouth Area Branch Centennial Celebration week for celebrating a century of service, advocacy and empowerment for women and girls.

B. Consent Agenda (Items on Consent Agenda will not be discussed unless a request is made to remove an item for discussion).

1. Approval of Bills

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Conard to approve the bills as presented. AYE:, Alderman Bone, Alderwoman Twomey (remote), Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet and Grant NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Centerpiece Option Proposed for the Public Square Fountain – Sarah Walters

Administrator Steinbrecher reminded the Council that in late August Sarah brought a proposal to replace the aging fountain with a metal maple leaf sculpture to be set in the center of the circular walls that enclosed the fountain. The sculpture would in the center of the basin, which would be filled with dirt to be planted with flowers. Most of the Council expressed approval, but wanted time to review the proposal. On September 16th, Sarah came back to receive approval, but after hearing Rotary Club had some concerns, she was directed to meet with the Rotary Board, which she did. The Rotary Club then determined they did not have an official position and withdrew their concerns. Tonight, Sarah is looking for direction from the Council as she needs to begin fundraising for this project. Administrator Steinbrecher stated that there would be no cost to the City for this project. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to support Sarah’s fundraising for this project and allow the metal Maple Leaf Sculpture to replace the aging fountain in Central Park. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey (remote), Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant and Bone NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

B. Santa House in Central Park for Christmas on the Square – Andrea Monroe

Andrea Monroe, Executive Director of the Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, requested that the Chamber be allowed to place the Tin Cup Express building from North Main Street in the middle of the grassy area in Central Park to use as Santa’s House for the Christmas on the Square event on Friday, December 6th. It would be on a trailer in order for it to be easily moved in and then removed from that location. The Chamber is asking to be able to put it in place as soon as the 11th or the 18th in order for it to be painted and decorated. They would be willing to leave it up for the duration of the Christmas season. After much discussion as to the safety of people crossing into the Park without designated crosswalks due to the construction on the Square, it was felt that it would be best to have it in place in the Park during the week of the event. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Grant to allow the Chamber to place the Tin Cup Express building to use as Santa’s House in Central Park the week of December 1-7, 2024. AYE: Alderman Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone and Alderwoman Twomey (remote) NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry

MOTION CARRIED.

C. Building and Zoning October Report – Director Clark

1. Open Projects:

✓ Jimmy John’s – Opening target date is November 13th.

✓ Beck’s Oil Co. – New convenience store structure and infrastructure is completed.

2. Closed Projects:

✓ ICS Gymnasium – Final inspection is done and certificate of occupancy has been issued.

3. Application for Setback Variance

✓ An application has been submitted by Two Brothers Property for a setback variance in order to build an addition onto an existing warehouse located at the corner of West 6th Avenue and South B Street. The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on November 14th to discuss the application and their recommendation will be on the November 18th Agenda.

D. Woodard and Curran September Report – Director Bledsoe

1. Updates on Projects:

➢ The West Harlem Phase II project is fully underway. Estimated completion date is the end of the month.

➢ Hope to finish the N.E. Quadrant on the square project by the end of the month and move on to the N.W. Quadrant.

➢ The UV Disinfection at the WWTP is up and running.

➢ The Lead Service line Replacement Phase I is beginning with opening bids on November 24th at City Hall. The start date will be next year. It is estimated that there will be 300 lines to be replaced and the City has 10 years to complete the project. The City will be receiving assistance in identifying lead service lines (pothole project) as well as funding from the Federal EPA from December 2nd through January 17, 2025. This will take place in the Southwest corner of town. The Federal EPA will be sponsoring a local contractor to dig holes (pothole project) to determine whether there is a lead service line or not. On December 12th to the 14th, the EPA will have workers going door to door to identify service lines in basements if people are home.

➢ The Street Department has started picking up leaves with the new leaf machine which vacuums the leaves into the machine. It is working really well.

➢ In response to questions as to the length of time it is taking with the downtown square project, it was brought out that there were some unexpected issues that have impacted the timeline.

E. Commercial Building Rehabilitation Application – 112 South 1st Street Administrator Steinbrecher explained that Scott McClintock has applied for financial assistance through the Downtown TIF Commercial Rehabilitation Program for a building that he recently purchased at 112 South 1st Street. The total cost for exterior repairs is $7,700 with the City’s share at 30% to be $2,310. The Administration is recommending approval. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve Mr. McClintock’s application for financial assistance through the Downtown TIF Commercial Rehabilitation Program. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey (remote) and Alderman Daw NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 1st Reading

1. 24-027, Amendment to Ordinance 23-029, Property Number Correction City Attorney Spears explained that in Ordinance 23-029, a lot number was listed as 16 and it should have been listed as 18; therefore, this ordinance provides the amendment with the correct lot number to the original ordinance. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Bone to approve Ordinance 24-027 as presented. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey (remote), Daw and Conard NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

2. 24-028, Vacation of Maple City Drive

3. 24-029, Annexation of Lot 2, Spicer Subdivision for Beck Oil

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that as part of the agreement for Beck Oil Company to purchase Lot 2, Spicer Subdivision, the City agreed to vacate Maple City Drive located in the Spicer subdivision, which runs East to West from North Main (Route 67) to a culde-sac area to the West. Lot 2, Spicer Subdivision is a 2.23-acre parcel of land that is currently outside City limits. It needs to be annexed into the City to be able to go into a new TIF District along with the current Beck Oil property. The 2.23 acres to the North of the current Beck Oil property will be used as a fuel station and parking lot for their truck stop. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve Ordinances 24-028 and 24-029 collectively as presented. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey (remote), Aldermen Daw, Conard and Pineo NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to consider.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Grant to adjourn the November 4 meeting at 6:45 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Aldermen Ferry, who was absent.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/agendas/november_4_2024_council_meeting_minutes.pdf